Vitamin K (Phylloquinone) can be produced in the intestines and this function is improved with the presence of cultured milk, like yogurt, in the diet. Vitamin K is found in nature in two forms – K1, also called phylloquinone, is found in plants and vitamin K2, also called menaquinone, which can be synthesized by many bacteria. Vitamin K3, menadione, is a synthetic form of this vitamin which is manmade.
Vitamin K is used in the body to control blood clotting and is essential for synthesizing prothrombin a precursor to the liver protein, Thrombin that controls the clotting. In the intestines it also assists in converting glucose to glycogen, this can then be stored in the liver. There are some indications that Vitamin K is also involved in bone formation and repair and may decrease the incidence or severity of osteoporosis and slow bone loss.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. A fat-soluble vitamin dissolves and remains in the fatty tissues of the body, reducing the need to ingest large quantities. As such symptoms from a defiency in fat-soluble vitamins may not be apparent for years. They should not be consumed in excess unless under strict medical supervision since toxic reactions from fat-soluble vitamins occur at a smaller percentage of the RDA than water-soluble vitamins.
Different forms or alternative names for Vitamin K (Phylloquinone):
phylloquinone
phytonadione
menadiol
menadione
Importance of Vitamin K (Phylloquinone):
promotes blood clotting
improves bone density and bone strength
Good sources of Vitamin K (Phylloquinone):
leafy vegetables, cheese, liver, asparagus, coffee, bacon, green tea, beans,
Tags: green teas, vitamins
